At the end of Somersville Road near Black Diamond Mines in Antioch, cows graze by pipes waiting to be installed. The nearby Chaparral Loop Trail is mostly on bedrock sandstone that leads up to the Ridge Trail, which is also mostly mud-free throughout the year.

During the rainy season, hiking in the regional parks and elsewhere can turn your boots into platform shoes as the famous clay soil of the East Bay adheres to the soles.

If you want to avoid this phenomenon, there are plenty of trails that make for easy going, even in the wettest of weather.

Check out the Chaparral Loop Trail at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve at the end of Somersville Road in Antioch. It’s a sometimes-steep climb, but mostly on bedrock sandstone. It leads up to the Ridge Trail, which is also mostly mud-free and offers beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.

Another good bet is the Stage Road Trail at Castle Rock and Diablo Foothills Regional Parks in Walnut Creek. Accessible from Castle Rock Road, the largely mudless trail leads up Pine Canyon past the Castle Rock formations. It’s a pretty hike, but note there are four crossings of Pine Creek.

For a steep climb on a paved road, walk up the Rocky Ridge View Trail at Las Trampas Regional Wilderness in San Ramon. It starts at the parking lot at the north end of Bollinger Canyon Road. Once at the top, you’re back on dirt trails if you wish to continue.

Three other paved trails that are good for scenic, mud-free hiking are the George Miller Trail at Carquinez Regional Shoreline, Nimitz Way at Tilden Regional Park near Berkeley and the Pinole Point Trail at Point Pinole Regional Shoreline in Richmond.

The George Miller Trail is on Carquinez Scenic Drive, accessible from either the Port Costa or Martinez side. Nimitz Way starts at Inspiration Point on Wildcat Canyon Road, and it’s paved for the first 4 miles to the north. The Pinole Point Trail leads from the park entrance on Giant Highway out to the pier at the end of the point.

Another paved path is the Bayview Trail at Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont. It loops all the way around the Coyote Hills themselves, with great views of the south baylands.

And, of course, the interpark regional trails are paved as well, open to hikers, cyclists and horseback riders. These trails include the Delta DeAnza Trail in east Contra Costa County, the Iron Horse and Contra Costa Canal trails in central Contra Costa and the Alameda Creek Regional Trail in Fremont.

For that matter, mud isn’t an insurmountable obstacle. Bring along dry footgear to wear after the hike and a cardboard box in which to store your muddy boots on the drive home.

More information on all the regional park trails is available at the park district website, www.ebparks.org. You can download maps from that site too.

Alameda: Veterans Day this coming Friday has special meaning at Crab Cove Visitor Center in Alameda. During World War II the federal government used the property as a training facility for Merchant Marine officers. There’s a memorial obelisk on the lawn at Crab Cove honoring the men from the school who lost their lives during the war.

Crab Cove will hold a Veterans Day open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. Visitors can help construct a memorial wreath and take a self-guided history tour of the park. From 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. there will be special screenings of a video, “A Day in the Life,” which features the Merchant Marine Officers Training Center. There’s a guided tour from 1 to 1:45 p.m., Family Fun Nature Hour from 2 to 3 p.m. and fish feeding from 3 to 3:30 p.m.

Incidentally, the East Bay Regional Park District will waive admission and parking fees for veterans on Friday and for everyone on Black Friday, Nov. 25.

Crab Cove naturalists also will lead a sunset low-tide exploration from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Nov. 13. Wear shoes that can get muddy. Crab Cove is at the end of McKay Avenue off Central Avenue in Alameda. For information, call 510-544-3187.

Berkeley: Up the hill at Tilden Nature Area near Berkeley, there’s a cookie program at the Environmental Education Center for kids ages 6 and older, from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, hosted by interpretive student aide Brianna Contaxis-Tucker. The kids will learn about the farm and forest while making cookies.

Then from 3 to 4 p.m. the same day, visitors can help feed the animals and close the Little Farm for the night. The center and Little Farm are both at the north end of Tilden’s Central Park Drive. For information, call 510-544-2233.

Richmond: The Wednesday Walks are a series of naturalist-led excursions in various regional parks. There’s a Wednesday Walk from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 16 at Point Pinole Regional Shoreline in Richmond, led by naturalist “Trail Gail” Broesder.

The group will learn about the park’s explosive past and exciting future. Bring water and a snack, meet at the park entrance on Giant Highway off Richmond Parkway.

Oakland: Gail is also leading a hike for the Over-The-Hills Gang — folks ages 55 and older who enjoy history, nature study and fitness. The group will hike from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Nov. 15 in Huckleberry Regional Preserve.

Meet at the trailhead on Skyline Boulevard in Oakland. It’s about a mile south of the intersection of Skyline and Grizzly Peak Boulevards. For information on either of Gail’s hikes, call 510-544-2233.

Ned MacKay writes a regular column about East Bay Regional Park District sites and activities. Email him at nedmackay@comcast.net.

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